On April 10, 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) played Delhi Capitals (DC) in an intense IPL match. There was a turning point when Virat Kohli was caught by leg-spinner Vipraj Nigam, and there was a mixed bag of fan reactions on social media. A typical remark captured the mood: "Saare spinners ko wicket dega tera Kohli" (Your Kohli will get his wicket off all spinners). Even though Kohli is a game legend, the last few years have exposed an increasing battle with leg-spin, particularly in the IPL.

Nigam was mostly unheard of, but he had a clean dismissal of Kohli, which adds legitimacy to the fact that leg spinners have become Achilles' heels for him. Fans took to social media with sarcasm and concern, as they pointed out that this wasn't the first time Kohli had fallen to spin bowling. A single wicket does not define a career, but it does signal deeper analysis. 

Kohli IPL Record vs. Spinners

After April 2025, Kohli has played 256 IPL matches and has scored a total of 8,168 runs at 38.90 and a strike rate of 131.9. He has been dismissed a total of 197 times, and spinners have determined a large portion of those dismissals. More specifically, he has been dismissed by

• Left-arm spinners: 57 dismissals
• Right-arm spinners: 140 dismissals

Also Read: IPL 2025: CSK vs. KKR - A Head to Head breakdown

Kohli vs. Leg Spinners: Statistical Analysis: Leg spinners, because of their ability to turn the ball away from right-handers, have also given Kohli much grief. Some of the best leg-spinners who have gotten him out on more than one occasion are

• Yuzvendra Chahal: 3 times
• Rashid Khan: 2 times
• Amit Mishra: 2–3 times
• Piyush Chawla: 2 times

With Nigam’s 2025 dismissal, the trend continues. Up to 2024, Kohli was likely dismissed by leg-spinners 20–25 times. Nigam's wicket pushes that tally higher.

Kohli’s Weakness Against Spin: Fact or Fiction?

Once dominant against spin, Kohli’s post-2022 numbers reveal a more cautious game. Data shows he attempts aggressive (150+ strike rate) shots against spin just 14% of the time, well below the league average of 25%. This defensive approach has increased his vulnerability, especially against wrist spin.

Also Read: Watch: Virat Kohli reacts to his first IPL POTM interview

At 37 years old, there are concerns about age or a change of strategy in his game. His strike rates against Kuldeep (115.09) and Chahal (120) are lower than his career average, indicating a pattern that rivals are keen to target.